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Fast-jet farewell
By Sarah Vickery and Andrew Stackpool
Volume 49, No. 14, August 09, 2007 |
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NEW ACAUST: AVM Mark Binskin
Photo by Phil Barling |
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TRADITION: AVM John Quaife admires the Wollemi Pine planted in his honour at the ACAUST change of command ceremony at RAAF Base Glenbrook, as a fly-past of an F/A-18, F-111 and Hawk marks the occasion.
Photo by Phil Barling |
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Outgoing ACAUST AVM John Quaife was farewelled at RAAF Base Glenbrook in a manner befitting his fast-jet antecedents.
All eyes were on the skies when an F/A-18 and Hawk lead-in fighter from RAAF Base Williamtown and F-111s from RAAF Base Amberley provided a fly-past over the parade to mark the change of command on July 26.
After two years in the job, AVM Quaife handed over the reins to AVM Mark Binskin, who offered a sneak preview of his future direction for Air Force.
The change of command was celebrated with an official ceremony in the garden of Headquarters Air Command’s mess, followed by a traditional tree planting where AVM Quaife planted a Wollemi Pine in Commander’s Square.
The ceremony paused as two F-111s performed a fly-past as a mark of respect for the outgoing commander. Soon after, an F/A-18, Hawk and F-111 performed a second fly-past, symbolising the final farewell.
In his official parting speech, AVM Quaife commented on the high level of Air Force achievement, while also recognising the quality of his replacement.
“It’s been a huge honour and a wonderful experience but its time for a changing of the guard and I wish Mark Binskin all the best in his new role,” he said. “I hand over to the right person to lead this effort, and I wish AVM Mark Binskin, his wife Gitte and the boys the same rewards Kim and I have enjoyed.
“I leave Air Command satisfied we’ve made a difference. I am well pleased with the maturity of our Air Defence capability as demonstrated in Melbourne for Operation Acolyte.”
In his first official address in the role, AVM Binskin, also a fast jet veteran, recognised the success of his predecessor and expressed his desire to quickly address any issues.
“I’m honoured to be here and privileged to take over what is a great command,” AVM Binskin said. “Air Command has never failed the Australian people, and ‘JQ’ [AVM Quaife], that’s a testament to you.
“I have a couple of priorities; first and foremost is to have fun. [Secondly], I want to make sure we’re proactive in the challenges that start to arise and take them head on.
“I look out across the command and it’s full of talented people … welcome to the ride, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd thanked AVM Quaife for his hard work and commitment to the job, and congratulated AVM Binskin on his new appointment.
“I am pleased to welcome Mark Binskin as Air Commander Australia, and, based on his administrative and operational experience, I have no doubt he will be another exceptional leader,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.
“AVM Quaife has offered a high standard of leadership and I wish him all the best in his new position as Head of Capability Systems.”
ACAUST is responsible for more than 200 aircraft and some 11,000 of the Air Force’s 14,000 personnel. |
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